Virtual space provision system, virtual space provision server, virtual space provision method, and virtual space provision program

Abstract

A virtual space is provided in which users interested in any one of various Web pages can meet each other in real time through the Web page that interests them. When any one Web page is viewed on user terminals 310 to 330 , the Web address information of the Web page is acquired and sent to a virtual space provision server 100 . Then, a virtual space is produced based on the virtual space information according to the Web address information from the virtual space provision server 100 . Furthermore, for example, any change in an avatar image and item image within the virtual space on one of the user terminals 310 to 330 is reflected on the virtual space of another one of the user terminals 310 to 330 . This allows those users viewing the same Web page to share the virtual space of the same contents with one another.

1 . A virtual space provision system, comprising a plurality of user terminals and a virtual space provision server connected to each other via a network,
 said user terminal comprising:
 Web server access means for connecting to a Web server via said network; 
 Web address information acquisition means for acquiring Web address information from the accessed Web server; 
 Web page viewing means for acquiring Web page information from the acquired Web address for displaying on display means; 
 transmission means for sending said Web address information and virtual space user information stored in storage means of said terminal to said virtual space provision server; 
 virtual space information reception means for receiving virtual space information based on said Web address information from said virtual space provision server; and 
 virtual space display control means for allowing a virtual space image based on said Web address information and an avatar image of a user accessing said Web address to be created in accordance with said received virtual space information and displayed on the display means, and 
   said virtual space provision server comprising:
 Web address information reception means for receiving Web address information acquired by a first user terminal and a first piece of the virtual space user information from said first user terminal; 
 virtual space information creation means for creating virtual space information based on the received Web address information, said first piece of the virtual space user information, and a second piece of said virtual space user information from a second user terminal accessing said Web address; and 
 virtual space information transmission means for sending the created virtual space information to a group of said first user terminal and said second user terminal. 
   
   
   
       2 . The virtual space provision system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said virtual space provision server has program provision means for providing a virtual space creation program to display said virtual space in response to a request from said user terminal; and   said virtual space information creation means transmits virtual space creation data for allowing said virtual space creation program to display a virtual space.   
   
   
       3 . The virtual space provision system according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 said plurality of user terminals has
 first data transmission means for sending avatar change data involved in a movement of an avatar image selected from among various types of elements contained in said virtual space creation program to said virtual space provision server, 
 avatar change data detection means for detecting avatar change data involved in a movement of an avatar image on another one of said user terminals from virtual space creation data provided by said virtual space provision server and tied to a change on the another one of said user terminals, and 
 first virtual space edit means for performing edit processing to provide the same contents as those of the virtual space on said another one of the user terminals when said avatar change data is detected; and 
   said virtual space provision server has
 avatar change data detection means for detecting said avatar change data sent from any one of said user terminals, and 
 avatar change data transmission means for sending the virtual space creation data indicative of said avatar change data to another one of said user terminals when said avatar change data detection means detects said avatar change data. 
   
   
   
       4 . The virtual space provision system according to  claim 2  or  3 , wherein:
 said plurality of user terminals has
 second data transmission means for sending item change data involved in selecting or deleting a predetermined item image selected from among various types of elements contained in said virtual space creation program to said virtual space provision server, 
 item change data detection means for detecting item change data involved in selecting or deleting an item image on another one of said user terminals from virtual space creation data provided by said virtual space provision server and tied to a change on the another one of said user terminals, and 
 second virtual space edit means for performing edit processing to provide the same contents as those of the virtual space on the another one of said user terminals when said item change data detection means detects said item change data; and 
   said virtual space provision server has
 item change data detection means for detecting said item change data sent from any one of said user terminals, and 
 item change data transmission means for sending virtual space creation data indicative of said item change data to another one of said user terminals when said item change data detection means detects said item change data. 
   
   
   
       5 . The virtual space provision system according to  claim 2  or  3 , wherein:
 said virtual space provision server has virtual space allocation means for allocating a virtual space in accordance with the Web address information detected by said Web address information detection means; and   when the same Web address information is sent from each of said user terminals, said virtual space allocation means makes an allocation to each of said user terminals so that a virtual space of the same contents is produced thereon, whereas when different pieces of said Web address information are sent from each of said user terminals, said virtual space allocation means makes an allocation to each of said user terminals so that a virtual space is produced thereon according to respective pieces of said Web address information.   
   
   
       6 . The virtual space provision system according to  claim 2  or  3 , wherein said virtual space provision server has virtual space management means for at least saving a virtual space caused by said virtual space creation data being transmitted, and for deleting said saved virtual space when at least the number of said avatar images in said saved virtual space becomes zero. 
   
   
       7 . The virtual space provision system according to  claim 2  or  3 , wherein:
 said plurality of user terminals have hash value creation means for creating a fixed-length hash value based on said acquired Web address information; and   said virtual space provision server creates virtual space creation data for creating a virtual space according to said hash value and transmits the data to said user terminal having sent said hash value.   
   
   
       8 . The virtual space provision system according to  claim 2  or  3 , wherein said Web server access means has Web address information of said virtual space provision server and includes a virtual space icon, either separately or added on to some browser. 
   
   
       9 . A virtual space provision server comprising:
 Web address information reception means for receiving Web address information acquired by a first user terminal and a first piece of said virtual space user information from said first user terminal;   virtual space information creation means for creating virtual space information based on the received Web address information, said first piece of the virtual space user information, and a second piece of said virtual space user information from a second user terminal accessing said Web address; and   virtual space information transmission means for sending the created virtual space information to a group of said first user terminal and said second user terminal.   
   
   
       10 . The virtual space provision server according to  claim 9 , comprising program provision means for providing a virtual space creation program to display said virtual space in response to a request from any of said user terminals,
 wherein said virtual space information creation means transmits virtual space creation data for displaying the virtual space by virtue of said virtual space creation program.   
   
   
       11 . The virtual space provision server according to  claim 10 , comprising:
 avatar change data detection means for detecting said avatar change data sent from any one of said user terminals; and   avatar change data transmission means for sending virtual space creation data indicative of said avatar change data to another one of said user terminals when said avatar change data detection means detects said avatar change data.   
   
   
       12 . The virtual space provision server according to  claim 10  or  11 , comprising:
 item change data detection means for detecting said item change data sent from any one of said user terminals; and   item change data transmission means for sending virtual space creation data indicative of said item change data to another one of said user terminals when said item change data detection means detects said item change data.   
   
   
       13 . The virtual space provision server according to  claim 10  or  11 , comprising virtual space allocation means for allocating the virtual space in accordance with the Web address information detected by said Web address information detection means, and
 wherein, when the same Web address information is sent from each of said user terminals, said virtual space allocation means makes an allocation to each of said user terminals so that a virtual space of the same contents is produced thereon, whereas when different pieces of said Web address information are sent from each of said user terminals, said virtual space allocation means makes an allocation to each of said user terminals so that a virtual space is produced thereon according to respective pieces of said Web address information.   
   
   
       14 . The virtual space provision server according to  claim 10  or  11 , comprising virtual space management means for at least saving the virtual space caused by said virtual space creation data being transmitted, and for deleting said saved virtual space when at least the number of said avatar images in the virtual space becomes zero. 
   
   
       15 . The virtual space provision server according to  claim 10  or  11 , wherein virtual space creation data for creating a virtual space according to a fixed-length hash value based on the Web address information acquired on said user terminal is created and then sent to said user terminal having transmitted said hash value. 
   
   
       16 . A virtual space provision method which, when a plurality of user terminals share a virtual space via a network and a virtual space provision server connected to said network displays said virtual space on the plurality of said user terminals, allows the plurality of user terminals to follow the steps of:
 connecting to a Web server via said network;   acquiring Web address information of the accessed Web server;   acquiring Web page information from the acquired Web address and displaying the same on display means;   sending said Web address information and virtual space user information stored in storage means of said terminal to said virtual space provision server;   receiving virtual space information based on said Web address information from said virtual space provision server; and   creating a virtual space image based on said Web address information and an avatar image of a user accessing said Web address in accordance with said received virtual space information and displaying the same on the display means, and   said method also allows said virtual space provision server to follow the steps of:   receiving Web address information acquired by a first user terminal and a first piece of said virtual space user information from said first user terminal;   creating virtual space information based on the received Web address information, said first piece of the virtual space user information, and a second piece of said virtual space user information from a second user terminal accessing said Web address; and   sending the created virtual space information to a group of said first user terminal and said second user terminal.   
   
   
       17 . The virtual space provision method according to  claim 16 , wherein said virtual space provision server follows a step of providing a virtual space creation program for displaying said virtual space in response to a request from said user terminal, and after said virtual space creation program is provided, transmits virtual space creation data for displaying the virtual space by virtue of said virtual space creation program. 
   
   
       18 . The virtual space provision method according to  claim 17 , allowing said plurality of user terminals to follow the steps of:
 sending avatar change data involved in a movement of an avatar image selected from among various types of elements contained in said virtual space creation program to said virtual space provision server;   detecting avatar change data involved in a movement of an avatar image on another one of said user terminals, from virtual space creation data tied to a change on the another one of said user terminals provided by said virtual space provision server; and   performing edit processing to provide the same contents as those of the virtual space on the another one of said user terminals when said avatar change data is detected; and   the method also allowing said virtual space provision server to follow the steps of:   detecting said avatar change data sent from any one of said user terminals; and   sending the virtual space creation data indicative of said avatar change data to another one of said user terminals when said avatar change data is detected.   
   
   
       19 . The virtual space provision method according to  claim 17  or  18 , allowing said plurality of user terminals to follow the steps of:
 sending item change data involved in selecting or deleting a predetermined item image selected from among various types of elements contained in said virtual space creation program to said virtual space provision server;   detecting item change data involved in selecting or deleting an item image on another one of said user terminals from virtual space creation data provided by said virtual space provision server and tied to a change on the another one of said user terminals; and   performing edit processing to provide the same contents as those of the virtual space on the another one of said user terminals when said item change data is detected; and   the method also allowing said virtual space provision server to follow the steps of:   detecting said item change data sent from any one of said user terminals; and   sending virtual space creation data indicative of said item change data to another one of said user terminals when said item change data is detected.   
   
   
       20 . The virtual space provision method according to  claim 17  or  18 , allowing said virtual space provision server to follow the step of allocating the virtual space in accordance with the Web address information detected by said Web address information detection means; and
 wherein when the same Web address information is sent from each of said user terminals, an allocation is made to each of said user terminals so that a virtual space of the same contents is produced thereon, whereas when different pieces of said Web address information are sent from said respective user terminals, an allocation is made to each of said user terminals so that a virtual space is produced thereon according to respective pieces of said Web address information.   
   
   
       21 . The virtual space provision method according to  claim 17  or  18 , allowing said virtual space provision server to follow the step of at least saving a virtual space caused by said virtual space creation data being transmitted, and deleting said saved virtual space when at least the number of said avatar images in said virtual space becomes zero. 
   
   
       22 . The virtual space provision method according to  claim 17  or  18 , allowing said plurality of user terminals to follow the step of creating a fixed-length hash value based on said acquired Web address information, and
 wherein said virtual space provision server creates virtual space creation data for creating a virtual space according to said hash value and transmits the data to said user terminal having sent said hash value.   
   
   
       23 . A virtual space provision program implemented by a computer, which, when a plurality of user terminals share a virtual space via a network and a virtual space provision server connected to said network displays said virtual space on the plurality of said user terminals, allows the plurality of user terminals to follow the steps of:
 connecting to a Web server via said network;   acquiring Web address information of the accessed Web server;   acquiring Web page information from the acquired Web address and displays the same on display means;   sending said Web address information and virtual space user information stored in storage means of said terminal to said virtual space provision server;   receiving virtual space information based on said Web address information from said virtual space provision server; and   creating a virtual space image based on said Web address information and an avatar image of a user accessing said Web address in accordance with said received virtual space information and display the same on the display means, and   the program also allows said virtual space provision server to follow the steps of:   receiving Web address information acquired by a first user terminal and a first piece of said virtual space user information from said first user terminal;   creating virtual space information based on the received Web address information, said first piece of the virtual space user information, and a second piece of said virtual space user information from a second user terminal accessing said Web address; and   sending the created virtual space information to a group of said first user terminal and said second user terminal.   
   
   
       24 . The virtual space provision program according to  claim 23 , allowing said virtual space provision server to follow a step of providing a virtual space creation program to display said virtual space in response to a request from said user terminal, and
 wherein after said virtual space creation program is provided, said virtual space provision server transmits virtual space creation data for displaying the virtual space by virtue of said virtual space creation program.   
   
   
       25 . The virtual space provision program according to  claim 24 , allowing said plurality of user terminals to follow the steps of:
 sending avatar change data involved in a movement of an avatar image selected from among various types of elements contained in said virtual space creation program to said virtual space provision server;   detecting avatar change data involved in a movement of an avatar image on another one of said user terminals from virtual space creation data provided by said virtual space provision server and tied to a change on the another one of said user terminals; and   performing edit processing to provide the same contents as those of the virtual space on the another one of said user terminals when said avatar change data is detected; and   said program also allowing the virtual space provision server to follow the steps of:   detecting said avatar change data sent from any one of said user terminals; and   sending the virtual space creation data indicative of said avatar change data to another one of said user terminals when said avatar change data is detected.   
   
   
       26 . The virtual space provision program according to  claim 24  or  25 , allowing said plurality of user terminals to follow the steps of:
 sending item change data involved in selecting or deleting a predetermined item image selected from among various types of elements contained in said virtual space creation program, to said virtual space provision server;   detecting item change data involved in selecting or deleting an item image on another one of said user terminals from virtual space creation data provided by said virtual space provision server and tied to a change on the another one of said user terminals; and   performing edit processing to provide the same contents as those of the virtual space on the another one of said user terminals when said item change data is detected; and   said program also allowing said virtual space provision server to follow the steps of:   detecting said item change data sent from any one of said user terminals; and   sending virtual space creation data indicative of said item change data to another one of said user terminals when said item change data is detected.   
   
   
       27 . The virtual space provision program according to  claim 24  or  25 , allowing said virtual space provision server to follow the step of allocating the virtual space in accordance with the Web address information detected by said Web address information detection means, and
 wherein when the same Web address information is sent from each of said user terminals, an allocation is made to each of said user terminals so that a virtual space of the same contents is produced thereon, whereas when different pieces of said Web address information are sent from said respective user terminals, an allocation is made to each of said user terminals so that a virtual space is produced thereon according to respective pieces of said Web address information.   
   
   
       28 . The virtual space provision program according to  claim 24  or  25 , allowing said virtual space provision server to follow the step of at least saving a virtual space caused by said virtual space creation data being transmitted, and deleting said saved virtual space when at least the number of said avatar images in said virtual space becomes zero. 
   
   
       29 . The virtual space provision program according to  claim 24  or  25 , allowing said plurality of user terminals to follow the step of creating a fixed-length hash value based on said acquired Web address information, and
 wherein said virtual space provision server creates virtual space creation data for creating a virtual space according to said hash value and transmits the data to said user terminal having sent said hash value.